The fourth installment of Weatherdirk, an exciting story set in the steampunk world of Sir Balamorgineas.

About this creation

In the chilly sky, Weatherdirk soared .
With her engine at half-speed, the ship glided through the dark clouds.
She pushed through the clouds, her propeller churning up a wake.
On deck, two of the crew, the young pilot and the cabin-girl, keep the night watch.
Wes took his stand at the helm and stamped his feet in the cold. He knew that he must be on his toes tonight. This was his first time steering a larger vessel and he was determined to keep her straight on course.
Laura gathered her thick skirts around her. She always enjoyed night watch. Laura loved to lean back and feel the air soaring beneath her. Though relaxed, she always kept her eyes on the darkness. Having spent most of her life in the sky, she knew how to be cautious.
An updraft shook the ship.
Wes: "Laura! Was that anything to worry about?"
Laura: *sigh* "No. There's nothing ahead. It was only air rising."
This jittery new pilot was worse than Burns, and he had only lasted a week. As Laura settled back against the beam, something caught her eye.
The towering rock face loomed out of the dark sky! The moonlight lit up its hard edges.
Laura: "Pull up! Rocks dead ahead! Hard to starboard."
Wes cut the engines and desperately tried to control the wheel.
Laura: "Get the captain!"
Wes ran to the bell.
Bong!
Laura: *gasp* The air flotsam carried a passenger.
Laura: "Man overboard! We need to bring her closer."
Cap'n Adolf Steele assessed the situation.
Adolf:"Raise the engines to quarter power and flip the side vents! Keep her straight on course while she slows!"
Wes hurriedly obeyed the orders as the cook, Gaston, emerged from the cabin.
After a few seconds of hesitation,
Gaston:"This spire isn't the point of impact. The flotsam floated a ways. Soldier boy looks like an Imp. Careful!"
Adolf: "Steady!"
Wes: *ulp*
Weatherdirk loomed nearer and nearer to the cold rock.
The Imperial airman shifted on his icy chain.
The stiff figure wrestled closer on his stranded raft.
Erikson: "What's the commotion?"
Gaston: "The Spines are early and they have caught an 'Imp.'
Adolf: "Get up top and help Laura pull him in."
Erikson: *grunt*
Laura: "We need to be closer. Soft to port!"
Adolf: "Alright Wes, calm and steady."
Wes: "Aye sir!"
The airship edged closer. The Imperial gathered himself and..
..jumped for the dangling chain.

The momentum of his swing stopped short.
Gaston: "Drop the starboard vent!"
The violent motion of uneven vents was enough umpf to swing the airman to safety!
Erikson: Pull out!
After Erikson helped the Imp down to the deck and Wes regained confident controll of the vessel, The crew turned to their guest.
Adolf: "You have had a harrowing evening. What are you called and how did you come to be in such dire straights?"
Erikson: "Your uniform is Imperial, are you?"
Winston: "My name is Winston and my loyalties are my own. If you want my story, I suggest getting me to a warmer and softer place than this."
Adolf: "Very well than."
Gaston: "The secondary engine room should be suitable."
Adolf: "We shall await your story with great interest."

This is the fourth segment of the Weatherdirk Story. If you want to start at the beginning, you may meet the cook, Gaston, in Airship Kitchenette. This episode displays my largest airship yet. The ship Weatherdirk took roughly three months to build and contains 2,392 light bley 2x2 rounds. I also attempted to do dramatic lighting. It is patchy in some places, but I think it sets the eery mood.